Pros and Cons of Emergency Remote System

A blessed discovery or a curse?

The coronavirus pandemic compelled us to change the way of living in order to protect ourselves and our families. From crowded concerts to visiting family members, adaptation was necessary so that people could move on even in these difficult times. Among all of the changes applied to daily basis, one of the biggest impacts was on the educational system, leading to the creation of ERE - Ensino Remoto Emergencial (or Emergency Remote Education), which has not been as effective as people thought it would be.

Without a doubt, the distance education system has its advantages. First of all, it’s a guarantee to keep things as close to the natural as possible, since the human brain is always searching for patterns, and keeping the routine almost intact is one of the most cherished things in these pandemic moments. Besides that, it brings together technology and learning, leading some scholars to say that the pandemic has accelerated the integration process between these two areas. Now, students have access to all sorts of platforms, discovering new tools to help in apprenticeship, and professors are learning more about technology and how to reach their students with a clear and objective teaching method.

Although it has its advantages, the emergency remote system also has countless disadvantages. In Brazil, the huge social abyss means that not all students, mainly from the public education network, have access to the activities provided by educational institutions. Despite the state governments try to include students without social and financial conditions, this "solution" proved to be flawed, unable to meet all the needy. In addition, public universities fear that online education is going to replace the face-to-face system, as part of the dismantling of public and quality education, which has been increasingly attacked by government and political bodies every day in recent years. Along with that, teachers are feeling unprepared to teach in this new model, because this new practice was accompanied by a lack of preparation for professionals in the area, who never thought of the context in which we are living. Research from Península Institute shows that 83% of the teachers feel unprepared for remote classes. Also, the lack of courses that train teachers for new technologies has been a long-term problem faced by them and students, who are affected by the quality of the class.

Analyzing the topics presented about the pros and cons of ERE, it is clear that this system is not as effective as one might think. If the government prioritized education and recognized its importance, perhaps remote education could bring more benefits to students and teachers, along with technology to develop better educational methods. Meanwhile, online classes may be sufficient as a temporary measure, but it does not meet all the needs of the academic community, which strives for quality and equal education for all.

Imagem da capa: Freepik